House That Hank Built
Fansided

Scariest Batters Atlanta Braves’ Pitchers Have Faced

By Alan Carpenter

Oct 30, 2015; Logan, UT, USA; A member of the Utah State Aggies band dresses up as a zombie for Halloween during the game against the Wyoming Cowboys at Romney Stadium. The Aggies won 58-27. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2015; Logan, UT, USA; A member of the Utah State Aggies band dresses up as a zombie for Halloween during the game against the Wyoming Cowboys at Romney Stadium. The Aggies won 58-27. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 28, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Fan dressed up for Halloween during the first period between the Calgary Flames and the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Fan dressed up for Halloween during the first period between the Calgary Flames and the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /

John Smoltz

As a starter and closer at times, Smoltz got to see a lot of batters, too – the entire roster of most teams down to the end of the benches.  Still, there were scary hitters for him despite his obvious successes.

David Cone – yes, the pitcher – actually is the single player with the most hits off of Smoltzie without an official out.  Cone was 4 for 4 with 3 RBI and a sacrifice (which doesn’t count against him) in 5 plate appearances for a 1.000 batting average.

Jeff Bagwell hit .301 lifetime vs. Smoltz with 2 homers, but the Brave pitcher also K’d him 11 times in 103 attempts.

Mark Grace got him at a .343 clip with 6 homers in 82 tries.  Likewise Mickey Morandini hit .344 with 8 RBI over 64 at bats.

At least Smoltz managed to hold Junior Spivey to a 1-for-4 .250 average.

But once again, Tony Gwynn is on the list as the foil for this flamethrower:  .444 in 72 AB with 2 homers, 13 RBI, and just a single strikeout despite recording 3,083 others over a 21 year career.

Of course Gwynn would scare almost every pitcher.

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